Tag: genealogy

1912 Christian Endeavors Convention

17-year-old Helena Muffly wrote exactly 100 years ago today: 

Wednesday, October 30, 1912:  Wish I could write something that would really be something, but as for this I call it nothing.

Her middle-aged granddaughter’s comments 100 years later:

Since Grandma didn’t write much a hundred years ago today, I’ll tell you what I found out about several previous posts.

Several days ago Grandma mentioned a “convention” that she attended in McEwensville, but she never provided any details.

She also wrote that she’d resolved to do something that would be beneficial to herself.

I was in the McEwensville area last week-end and found a little time to dig through the old Milton Evening Standard microfilms at the  Milton Public Library. I scrolled through the film–hoping to find a temperance society convention. . . or a lively political rally.

Instead I found a dull newspaper article (with lots names) about a Christian Endeavors convention.  Christian Endeavors was a youth ministry. Here’s what the October 23, 1912 Milton Evening Standard had to say:

Endeavorers in Annual Session at McEwensville

Open Twenty-Third Convention with Services of Song

Rev. I.P.Zimmerman Chief Speaker Today

The twenty-third annual convention of the Northumberland County Christian Endeavor Union begun a two days session today at McEwensville with a large attendance.

Delegates from all parts of the county are in attendance. The convention was opened this afternoon with a service of song. Miss Ida McWilliams of McEwensville led the devotional service and Carl Watson delivered the address of welcome to which Miss Leah Lark on Shamokin responded on behalf of the delegates.

Rev. I.P. Zimmerman, of this place, was the principal speaker at the service this afternoon. He spoke on the pastor’s relation to C.E, and pointing out how the minister’s aid can be a great benefit to the work of the C.E. and gave instances of how a great deal had been accomplished through the instrument of progressive pastors.

Practical Plans and Methods was an illuminating address delivered by C.W. Winery of Bellefonte who is the president of the Centre County C.E. Union. An open discussion following several members taking part in telling how the society does things. The women will adjourn at 4:30 this afternoon.

Milton Evening Standard (October 23, 1912)

Had Some Peace

17-year-old Helena Muffly wrote exactly 100 years ago today: 

Tuesday, October 29, 1912:  That kid is away for tonight, so I had some peace this evening. Had an exam today.

Jimmie Muffly, circa 1913

Her middle-aged granddaughter’s comments 100 years later:

I wonder where Grandma’s 7-year-old brother Jimmie was. . . Maybe at a friend’s house for a sleep-over?

Grandma seldom mentioned Jimmie in the diary—yet she commented on his absence.

On a typical evening—when she doesn’t have “peace” –I wonder what types of things Grandma and Jimmie did together.

Did Grandma ready stories to Jimmie?  Did they tease each other? When Grandma was trying to do her homework, did Jimmie beg Grandma to play games with him? . . .

Need to Find Time to do Research!!

17-year-old Helena Muffly wrote exactly 100 years ago today: 

Monday, October 28, 1912:  Got mad at the Rufus tonight. I think she can be so mean sometimes.

Her middle-aged granddaughter’s comments 100 years later:

When Grandma was annoyed with her sister Ruth, she called her Rufus. How was Ruth mean to Grandma?

The past week has had many high points and low points for Grandma. She also has seemed frustrated with herself and other family members. But there are very few specifics in the diary entries.

There’s a need for research here! I haven’t worked ahead—this post needs to be published in less than 24 hours.

I want to tie it all back to the “convention” that Grandma attended on October 24:

Didn’t have school this afternoon so we could go without missing. It was very entertaining. Enjoyed it much.  Would like to have gone to the convention again tonight, but it was raining.

And, the next day, she wrote:

I’ve resolved to do something if carried out, I think will prove very beneficial to me at least. I’m going to try any way and see the result.

My Questions—What was the convention? Did the convention somehow affect Grandma’s mood and how she was interacting with her family?

____

Note to Readers–Thanks for all of your wonderful suggestions about what the convention may have been.

Note to Self—(1) Try to find time to research this. (2) Try to get further ahead on writing posts. . . or at least remember to look ahead further so that there is time to do research before posts need to be written.

Sunday Routines

17-year-old Helena Muffly wrote exactly 100 years ago today: 

Sunday, October 27, 1912:  Went to Sunday School this morning. Carrie was over this afternoon. Miss Tweet was here also.

Her middle-aged granddaughter’s comments 100 years later:

Sounds like Grandma spent a nice afternoon with two friends—Carrie Stout and Helen (Tweet) Wesner.

Grandma’s Sunday’s had a general routine—Sunday school, visiting with friends or relatives, and maybe a fun or relaxing activity— like a walk with a friend, or making ice cream, etc.

Sometimes the Sunday entries seem boring, then I remember how Grandma had to work very hard all week at school and on the farm—and I realize that these entries actually probably describe some of her happiest times.

Helping Pater

17-year-old Helena Muffly wrote exactly 100 years ago today: 

Sunday, October 20, 1912:  Oh dear me, was helping the pater today.

Photo source: Wikimedia Commons

Her middle-aged granddaughter’s comments 100 years later:

The tone of the diary entry suggests that Grandma didn’t enjoy helping her father. What might he needed help with on a Saturday in late October?

Husking corn?

Gathering and storing potatoes for the winter?

Picking apples?

Bringing pumpkins, squash, and other winter vegetables in from the field?

Helping repair a piece of broken machinery?

Helping clean manure out of the stables before the weather got too cold?

???

Some Previous Posts on Fall Activities

Husking Corn

Harvesting Potatoes

Hulling Black Walnuts

How to Crack Black Walnuts

Made a Resolution

17-year-old Helena Muffly wrote exactly 100 years ago today:

Saturday, October 25, 1912:  I’ve resolved to do something if carried out, I think will prove very beneficial to me at least. I’m going to try anyway and see the result.

Her middle-aged granddaughter’s comments 100 years later:

Hmm—What was the resolution? The previous day’s diary entry mentioned a “convention” in McEwensville—though it wasn’t clear what type of convention it was.

If it was some sort of religious event—maybe Grandma resolved to be a better, more religious person.

The convention may have been  sponsored by one of the churches in McEwensville.

St. Johns’ United Church of Christ (It was St. John’s Reformed Church in Grandma’s day.)
Building that once housed Messiah Lutheran Church

What Was the Convention?

17-year-old Helena Muffly wrote exactly 100 years ago today: 

Thursday, October 24, 1912:  Didn’t have school this afternoon so we could go without missing. It was very entertaining. Enjoyed it much.  Would like to have gone to the convention again tonight, but it was raining. That’s what if did this afternoon, too.

Was out to Ruthie’s school before I went up to the church. Took Jimmie out, that is he was to stay with her.

The road Grandma would have walked to McEwensville.

Her middle-aged granddaughter’s comments 100 years later:

Grandma’s 7-year-old brother Jimmie also attended the McEwenville School. Their sister Ruth was a teacher at a nearby one-room school-house. Apparently the students at Ruth’s school didn’t get the afternoon off for the convention.

Why did Ruth need to babysit Jimmie while she was teaching. Maybe their parents also went to the convention.

I still haven’t figured out what the convention was—though Grandma mentioned it the previous day when she wrote:

Wanted to go to the Convention this evening, but it commenced to rain and Rufus said she wasn’t going, but she did go when Rachel came . .  .

It almost sounds like it was something associated with one of the churches in McEwensville—though I’m surprised that the students got time off school to attend a religious event.  Or maybe it was some sort of local political convention–elections were rapidly approaching both then and now.